Riding a four-game undefeated streak, Chivas USA return to action following a week when they play host to the Colorao Rapids on Saturday evening at The Home Depot Center. Chivas won their second match in a row last time out, a 2-1 home win against Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Rapids are coming off their first victory of the 2013 season, holding out for a 1-0 victory against rival Real Salt Lake at home last weekend.

The Rapids have not lost to Chivas USA since March 21, 2009. In the eight matches since, Colorado has won six, with two draws.

Colorado has a five-game undefeated streak alive against Chivas USA at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, dating back to 2008. The Rapids have won three of the five meetings since in Commerce City, with two draws.

The Rapids have won on each of their last three visits to take on Chivas at The Home Depot Center, over the past three seasons.

CHIVAS USA
Chivas USA return to action following a week off, winning for a second game in a row, a 2-1 victory against Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 30 at The Home Depot Center. Chivas USA sit in second place in the Western Conference with 10 points from 5 matches.

LAST MATCH

Highlights: Chivas USA 2, Vancouver 1

Chivas USA took the lead in the 12th minute when Carlos Álvarez’s crossing pass from just outside the box deflected off Jun Marques Davidson’s shoulder and past goalkeeper Joe Cannon, who was unable to react in time to keep out the own goal.

The home side doubled their lead 10 minutes after the break. Jorge Villafana flighted in a cross from the left flank and Eric Avila met it with a thumping full volley with his right foot that curled back inside the far post.

Chivas head coach Jose Luis Sánchez Sola made two changes to the team that rolled to a 4-1 win against the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park. Oswaldo Minda and Jorge Villafana returned to the side, in place of Marvin Iraheta and Josue Soto.

Chivas USA won their second consecutive match and extended their unbeaten streak to four, since a season-opening loss to Columbus. A year ago, Chivas won consecutive games just once all season (April 7-14, vs. Portland and Toronto); their season-long unbeaten run was four games (1-0-3, May 13-26).

“We had the ball a lot and we dared to possess the ball,” said Chivas manager José Luis Sánchez Sola. “There was no better week to attempt this style of play. Any team that wants to beat us, either here or on the road, has to run more than us. If they don’t out-run us, it’s a guaranteed point for us. By what I’ve seen of these Chivas USA players, who fight and battle, the point is already assured.”

Chivas USA also maintained their place at the top of the MLS goalscoring charts, with 10 goals from five matches. FC Dallas have also scored 10 goals, in one more game.

“How beautiful they play at times,” Sánchez Sola (Chelís) said. “During a span I was telling myself, ‘I’m leaving. I already sold what I needed to sell.’ But I warm up to it and want more of those sequences. And they can do it.”

After conceding three goals in the opening match loss to Columbus, Chivas have allowed just four goals over their last four matches.

“I’m obviously missing a shutout,” goalkeeper Dan Kennedy said. “But, other than that, I don’t think we’re missing anything.” Said Bobby Burling: “Especially as a defender, we’d like to see zeroes back there. Any time we put up a zero it gives our team a chance to win a game. It’s about attention to detail, little plays here and there. If you look at every goal [we have allowed], it’s not just one guy’s fault, it’s a combination of three or four plays.”

Jose Villafaña recorded an assist for a second consecutive match, his only two appearances of the season after being an unused substitute for the first three games.

“Villafaña has [the position], but Soto can’t stay far behind and neither can Courtois,” said Sánchez Sola. Said Villafaña: “When you have the chance, you have to take advantage of it.”

Juan Agudelo was forced from the field during the first half after suffering a hamstring strain. He said he hopes to be available for the Colorado match as a substitute.

Edgar Mejia also suffered a groin strain that led to his substitution in the 77th minute of the match, but he has returned to full training. Miller Bolaños (hamstring) and Oswaldo Minda (quad) are both expected to miss the Colorado match, along with defender Wálter Vílchez, still out with a knee injury.

Last weekend, Chivas USA took advantage of the weekend off for a friendly against amateur side Cal FC at The Home Depot Center, winning 5-1. Tristan Bowen scored a hat trick, while Miller Bolaños and Giovani Casillas also scored.

COLORADO RAPIDS
The Colorado Rapids recorded their first win of 2013 against their arch-rivals, making an early goal stand up for a 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday. The Rapids are in ninth place in the Western Conference with 5 points from 6 matches.

The game's only goal came after just five minutes. Rapids striker Edson Buddle held off two RSL defenders in the box and was just able to buy himself enough time to dish the ball off to Atiba Harris, who easily fired home from close range to score against his old team.

Real had a glorious opportunity to pull level just two minutes later. After RSL's Kyle Beckerman and Rapids rookie Dillon Powers tussled in the box, referee Chris Penso pointed to the spot. But goalkeeper Clint Irwin denied Alvaro Saborío with a diving save, pushing the ball off the post.

Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja made one change to the team that reached a 2-2 draw with the Portland Timbers at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Atiba Harris came into the side in place of Tony Cascio.

The Rapids snapped their season-opening winless streak at five games with the win against their Rocky Mountain rivals, ending their run one game short of the worst start in club history. “The boys really fought today, the way they have been fighting for the last weeks. Despite the lack of results, I would say that they deserve more,” said Rapids head coach Oscar Pareja. “They kept fighting with determination, and today is a good reward. I thought the game rewarded them today for that fight, and as I say, there are many things that need to be better for sure, but [today] is a day to enjoy.”

Making his third consecutive start in place of the injured Matt Pickens, goalkeeper Clint Irwin recorded his first shutout and first victory in the win against RSL – and saved a penalty from Álvaro Sabório along the way.

“It shows what he has been showing since he came to the club,” said Pareja. “Personality, you know, the kid is unbelievable how he comes up with such a [maturity], and it’s big. He has a high ceiling, too. The way he trains, the way he behaves, the way he shares with the teammates everything – and then that shows. That leads to many things. Once again, tonight was a reward for him with a PK that was not a shaky PK. He came up big.”

After going to the substitute’s bench for the Portland match, Atiba Harris returned to the starting lineup and scored his first goal for the club – honoring his newborn daughter with his celebration.

"It was always planned; whenever I scored, I was going to dedicate it to her,” Harris said. “It’s always a blessing to bring a new life into this life, so I decided to honor her."

Edson Buddle started a second consecutive match, going 57 minutes after lasting 61 minutes the week before vs. Portland.

“I’m getting there. If I get fitter my [right] knee will feel a lot less pressure I think,” Buddle said. “That’s what I’m focused on right now. It’s kind of a reality check.”